As we grow forward, we must remember those who came before….Let’s not forget Sarah Baartman…
Thanks SCHEME!!!
and Happy 1st Anniversary!
Stephanie Pressley (Queen Knowledge) Accokeek, Maryland on
February 25, 2008 8:40 am
When 20 year old Sara Baartman got on a boat that was to take her from Cape Town to London in 1810, she could not have known that she would would never see her home again. Nor, as she stood on the deck and saw her homeland disappear behind her could she have known that she would become the icon of racial inferiority and black female sexuality for the next 100 years.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SARA BAARTMAN is the fascinating story of this Khoi Khoi woman who was taken from South Africa, and then exhibited as a freak across Britain. The image and idea of “The Hottentot Venus” swept through British popular culture. A court battle waged by abolitionists to free her from her exhibitors failed.
In 1814 she was taken to France, and became the object of scientific and medical research that formed the bedrock of European ideas about black female sexuality. She died the next year. But even after her death, Sara Baartman remained an object of imperialist scientific investigation. In the name of Science, her sexual organs and brain were displayed in the Musee de l’Homme in Paris until as recently as 1985.
Bebop on
February 28, 2008 5:33 pm
When I learned about this, I couldn’t help but grow angry. But a small part of me isn’t surprised. I could only imagine how many more stories of black cruelty have not been told… The most irritating part of it all is knowing that even in 2008, the black woman isn’t respected the way she deserves.
Women: Stand up for what you believe and don’t settle for less. Respect your body–and fight for what others died for before you.
Men: Respect, love, and appreciate your woman. Show trust and loyalty…
kenya on
April 20, 2008 9:44 pm
this is sad!and before today 4-18-2008 i never heard of her or this story which is also sad as a african american woman,i’ll admit,we must do better as black people becouse the sucess of it lies in our hands,we have never been giving anything that was worth being gave harriet tubman,martin king,olaudah equano,nelson mandela,and the little rock9 to name a few had to conduct,fight,PAY for FREEDOM,go to prison,get called names,spit at and die for us to have the little we got and we still fail to understand that our future lies in our own hands and no one elses when we begin to rise to the occasion and learn the power of unity,sucess will be nothing to achieve,as a black woman i luv every curve,from my hips,the fullness of my lips,the texture of my hair and the color of my sun kissed skin,its a disgrace for any body to have to go through the things that african americans have but before our heavenly father we all must stand and ansewer for our life doing and may god have mercy on you and forgive me.
This piece moved me to tears. Thanks for posting…
As we grow forward, we must remember those who came before….Let’s not forget Sarah Baartman…
Thanks SCHEME!!!
and Happy 1st Anniversary!
When 20 year old Sara Baartman got on a boat that was to take her from Cape Town to London in 1810, she could not have known that she would would never see her home again. Nor, as she stood on the deck and saw her homeland disappear behind her could she have known that she would become the icon of racial inferiority and black female sexuality for the next 100 years.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SARA BAARTMAN is the fascinating story of this Khoi Khoi woman who was taken from South Africa, and then exhibited as a freak across Britain. The image and idea of “The Hottentot Venus” swept through British popular culture. A court battle waged by abolitionists to free her from her exhibitors failed.
In 1814 she was taken to France, and became the object of scientific and medical research that formed the bedrock of European ideas about black female sexuality. She died the next year. But even after her death, Sara Baartman remained an object of imperialist scientific investigation. In the name of Science, her sexual organs and brain were displayed in the Musee de l’Homme in Paris until as recently as 1985.
When I learned about this, I couldn’t help but grow angry. But a small part of me isn’t surprised. I could only imagine how many more stories of black cruelty have not been told… The most irritating part of it all is knowing that even in 2008, the black woman isn’t respected the way she deserves.
Women: Stand up for what you believe and don’t settle for less. Respect your body–and fight for what others died for before you.
Men: Respect, love, and appreciate your woman. Show trust and loyalty…
this is sad!and before today 4-18-2008 i never heard of her or this story which is also sad as a african american woman,i’ll admit,we must do better as black people becouse the sucess of it lies in our hands,we have never been giving anything that was worth being gave harriet tubman,martin king,olaudah equano,nelson mandela,and the little rock9 to name a few had to conduct,fight,PAY for FREEDOM,go to prison,get called names,spit at and die for us to have the little we got and we still fail to understand that our future lies in our own hands and no one elses when we begin to rise to the occasion and learn the power of unity,sucess will be nothing to achieve,as a black woman i luv every curve,from my hips,the fullness of my lips,the texture of my hair and the color of my sun kissed skin,its a disgrace for any body to have to go through the things that african americans have but before our heavenly father we all must stand and ansewer for our life doing and may god have mercy on you and forgive me.